We’ve heard plenty over the past months about the future of Super Rugby and its unusual competition format but this week, none of that matters.

Whether our friends across the ditch like it or not, the Waratahs will host the Highlanders in a Super Rugby quarter final on Saturday night and before their slip up last weekend, they were looking seriously good.

Sydney is a tough sporting market and Waratahs fans are as fickle as they come. But the Tahs are now just two wins away from playing in a Super Rugby final, so maybe it’s time to dust off your old jersey and get around the Waratahs.

Finals footy

There really isn’t anything quite like finals footy and its even better when its played in your backyard. Sure, the Waratahs have fallen short at this time of the year before. But remember this side won just four games last year. In 12 months, they’ve turned things around significantly and while they may not be a perfect product, the Tahs deserve credit for getting to where they are.

Attack, attack, attack

Statistically, the Waratahs are the best attacking side in the competition and when they hold onto the ball, they’re bloody good to watch. This year, the Tahs have scored on average just under 35 points a game, which puts them ahead of all five Kiwi sides, including the Crusaders.

While the Waratahs have plenty of strike power out wide, the key to the Tahs attack is in tight. When the Waratahs forwards get over the advantage, their backs are hard to stop.

Genuine club rugby links

Gone are the days when the majority of Waratahs forgot where they came from as soon as they earned themselves a car spot at Moore Park. Daryl Gibson’s squad have genuine links to club rugby and the majority have played a handful of Shute Shield games this year.

Damien Fitzpatrick is Eastwood through and through, Jed Holloway is down at Souths every chance he gets and Will Miller apparently still wears a crown around North Sydney.

Wallabies momentum

While rival Australian Super Rugby fans love nothing more than barracking against the Waratahs, there’s even an argument for Reds, Brumbies and Rebels fans to don a little sky blue this weekend. There is no denying that Super Rugby success helps build a winning culture in Australian rugby and if the Tahs can play into early August, their Wallabies will take plenty of momentum into camp ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup test.

Smile, things aren’t that bad

It’s been a tough ole time for Australian rugby fans over the last few years and while the sport certainly isn’t back to where it needs to be, things are definitely on the up. Our Super Rugby players are undeniably fitter, faster, stronger and better equipped to win matches than they were this time last year and most of them are only getting better.

As a sport, we love nothing more than hurting ourselves but every once and a while it’s okay to stop and smile. Here’s hoping the Waratahs can help us do that this weekend.